Author's note: Sorry I haven't updated in a long time, I've been kinda busy with school and . And writers block didn't help me either. Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming.
Rating: PG-13
How long is forever
Chapter 23
Rory slowly wakes up. Her eyes flutter as she sees an image of Lorelei sitting on the edge of her bed, holding a tray of food.
Rory- Mom?
Rory sits up and rubs her eyes.
Lorelei- Hey...…I thought I'd make you breakfast…well…..I thought Luke would make you breakfast….It's pancakes, sausage and bacon.
Lorelei places the plate on Rory's night stand.
Lorelei- So…..are you gonna tell me what happened last night?
Rory- What are you talking about?
Lorelei- You walk in here crying and go to your room as fast as you can….I thought a tornado had just passed by.
Rory looks at her hands.
Lorelei- What happened?
Rory- Umm…..Travis hit on me…..well I don't know…..but he leaned in.
Lorelei- To kiss you?
Rory- I don't know..…maybe…..probably.
Lorelei- So he didn't kiss you?
Rory- No, I ran away before anything could happen.
Lorelei- You ran away? Again?..…With all the running you do,I'm surprised you're not a track star.
Rory- Mom.
Lorelei- What?..You run away a lot…for no reason too.
Rory- I had a reason.
Lorelei- What was it?
Rory- He tried to kiss me!
Lorelei- (sarcastic) O my God the horror……….Is he hot?
Rory- Mom.
Lorelei- Well is he?
Rory- ….I guess…ya.
Lorelei- (sarcastic) O my poor child…….What is wrong with you?.. You have a hot guy trying to kiss you and you're crying? Haven't I taught you anything?
Rory- Mom…..My heart still belongs to Tristan. I can't do it.
Lorelei- I know…I just hate to see you like this….It's not good for you or the babies.
Rory- Ya, I know..um… Thank Luke for me, will you?
Lorelei- Ok..but you can thank him yourself..I'm heading over there. You wanna come?
Rory- No Thanks…I need to call someone. But tell him thanks, ok.
Lorelei- Ya. I'll see you later, kid.
Lorelei walks out the door. Rory picks up the phone and dials. It rings a couple times. A lady picks up the phone.
Lady- Dugrey residence.
Rory- Hi…is Travis available?
Lady- Yes he is. Just one moment.
(there's a wait)
Travis- Hello?
Rory- Hi…It's Rory.
Travis- Rory, Hi.
Rory- Ummm…Can you meet me somewhere?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travis walks through the cemetery. He's searching for Rory. He sees her sitting on a bench. He walks up to the bench and sits next to her.
Travis- Hey.
Rory- Hi….thanks for coming.
Travis- Of course.
Rory- I'm sorry I ran away.
Travis- I'm sorry too….I shouldn't have tried to kiss you…..you just looked so kissable…… It was stupid….you just finished telling me how much you missed him. You were my best friend's girlfriend. I shouldn't have done that.
Rory- Ya.
Travis- I guess I just realized why Tristan was gone after he met you.
Rory- You are a great guy…you are….the little time that I've known you, you've helped me quite a bit…and I thank you for that…..But even though Tristan's gone….I'm still very much in love with him….and I don't know when it'll stop.
Travis- I know that.
Rory- I don't want things to be awkward with us….I want to get to know you more….not like that…but as friends.
Travis- Ya, me too.
Rory- Ok…so…Friends?
Travis- Friends.
Rory- Great…so…what do two new friends do?
Travis- Lunch?
Rory- You read my mind.
Travis- Ok, lets go.
Rory-Can you wait for me?….I actually want to talk to Tristan.
Travis- Ya, ok… I'll wait for you by the cars.
Rory- Thanks.
Travis walks away. Rory gets up and walks to the tombstone.
Rory- It's weird talking to you….knowing you can't answer…but it helps. I don't care if I or people think I'm crazy……I think about you everyday. around me reminds me of you….to a song on the radio, to a commercial on TV….And I know I can't forget you….It's impossible, I know that….but I can't live my life on our memories…..I can't be controlled by them…I need new memories……..God this is so hard for me……but I have to let you go.
Rory feels a lump in her throat and she begins to cry. That was the hardest thing she has ever had to say. She pauses hoping to get control of herself.
Rory- I don't want to…but I need to….I can't keep living in the past…..but I will never forget what we had….ever…..that year was the best anyone could ever ask for….you taught me things I never knew existed…..You showed me things I've never seen before….You taught me how to love in a new way…..I saw things in a whole different light because of you…..you made me happy and everyone could see that…….and now you're giving me the best gift anyone could ever ask for….you're giving me two babies, who I can't wait to meet.
Rory looks at her ring finger.
Rory- I've worn this ever since your mother gave this to.
Rory takes the ring off her finger.
Rory- I can't wear it anymore…but I'll keep it….I'll even make a Tristan box. (light chuckle) …..but so you know…..I'll love you for the rest of my life….and we'll be together in the end……. (sighs) Goodbye Tristan.
Rory kisses her hand and places it on the outlining of Tristan's name. She lets her hand linger for awhile, while tears fall freely from her eyes. She pulls her hand back and walks away. She walks toward Travis.
Travis- Hey…what's wrong?
Rory wipes her eyes.
Rory- (softly; scratchy) I said goodbye.
Travis- Oh…..Are you ok?
Rory- I will be…eventually.
Travis- Ok….let's go, friend.
Rory- (sniffs) Ok, Uncle Travis.
Rory gets into her car as Travis walks to his car. They drive to Luke's and have a nice lunch. They get to know each other better. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and friendship only.
What do you guys think? Please review. And stay tuned. Only like one or two more chapters left. Keep the reviews coming.